Ask the expert: Pet insurance premiums going up each year

Hi

With many insurers offer pet insurance only for young dogs how easy is it to change insurers? Also, when my collie gets to 12 years old, would the premiums be different to what is being offered for a new policy of a 12 year old collie?

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for contacting me via pet-insurance-discount.co.uk.

Choosing the right insurer from the start is very important. This is because once you start claiming on a condition, if you then change provider, that specific condition will be excluded from your new policy and you wouldnt be able to claim for it anymore. The condition would be considered as ‘pre-existing’.

In some instances, it’s ok because the likelyhood of your pet suffering the same injury or illness can be low, however if the condition requires ongoing treatment throughout the year, then you would be stuck.

Also, not all insurers will provide cover for older dogs so your choice becomes slightly more restricted then, although more and more providers now take on senior pets.

Premiums will generally go up each year because of general inflation and the increase in veterinary treatment costs. In most cases, because your premium will be calculated for your individual circumstances, your premium for your 12 year old collie may be more than if you were getting a brand new policy. Again, you’ll have to consider whether if you have had to claim in the past.

I think you should choose a cover that is right for you today and then see at renewal. If you’re looking for the most comprehensive type of cover, then you may want to consider a lifetime/lifelong policy which covers conditions year after year for as long as you stay with the same insurer.

Otherwise, you also have good per condition covers that will give you, for instance, £7,000 in vet fees for each unrelated condition and with no time limit to claim that amount as long as you stay with the same insurer again. Per condition is generally a bit cheaper than lifetime.

You can compare pet insurance here.

Kind regards